Active ʻĀina Protection Projects

We strive to protect entire landscapes, establishing reciprocal relationships with the land as Hawaiʻi’s ancestors did - safeguarding clean water, maintaining habitat connectivity for native species, and ensuring functional connectivity of cultural sites.

Growing Hawaiʻi’s Farms

In the rich soils of Lualualei Valley in Wai‘anae, O‘ahu, a farm that has supported those most in need is poised to expand and receive permanent protection. The nonprofits Kahumana Farms and Hawai‘i Land Trust have partnered to forever dedicate 24 acres to regenerative agriculture that will feed community in perpetuity.

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How We Protect

Hawaiʻi’s identity, values, culture and economy is based in the health of the land. Losing Hawaiʻi’s coastlines, fertile agricultural lands, and historic landscapes to overdevelopment will inextricably alter Hawaiʻi, sacrificing the very core of what makes Hawaiʻi so special. Hawaiʻi Land Trust focuses on protecting privately-owned land with threatened natural, cultural, and/or agricultural resources of high importance by fee purchase or Conservation Easement. 

Places protected following HILT’s Strategic Land Protection Plan priorities:

1) Wahi kupuna (Hawaiian cultural landscapes) 

2) Coastlines 

3) Lands that grow healthy food for Hawaiʻi’s people

When HILT works to protect a place, we meaningfully engage kamaʻāina, lineal descendants, and the surrounding community. We empower them to lead the effort, knowing that community-led land protection results in a stronger community, and community stewardship of the land once protected.

  • Mahukona Navigation & Ecological Complex, Hawaiʻi Island

    With the guidance and partnership of Nā Kālai Waʻa, the nonprofit that perpetuates traditional Hawaiian navigation on the famed sailing canoe Makaliʻi, and the support of the greater Kohala and Hawaiʻi Island community, HILT is working to permanently protect the Hawaiian cultural landscape of Mahukona. These 642 coastal acres are sandwiched by Lapakahi State Historical Park and Kapaʻa Beach Park, and are vital to the marine ecosystem health and perpetuation of navigation and Hawaiʻi’s history.

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  • Kaumaui Loko Iʻa, Keaukaha, Hawaiʻi Island

    Hui Hoʻoleimaluō, a local 501(c)(3), Ka ʻUmeke Kāʻeo Public Charter School, and Hawaiʻi Land Trust have partnered for the permanent protection of Kaumaui’s loko wai (fresh water ponds), punawai (fresh water springs), waikai (brackish water) and its unique ecosystem for native species to thrive. This conservation easement project will protect 3-acres of rare habitat and what could be 8-residential structures, ensuring stewardship and cultural-based education to benefit all current and future generations. Project partners have applied to the County of Hawaiʻi’s Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Commission (PONC) for conservation easement acquisition funds.

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  • Waikalua Loko Iʻa (Fishponds Complex), Kāneʻohe, Oʻahu

    HILT is working with the nonprofit Pacific American Foundation and the City & County of Honolulu to protect via conservation easement Waikalua Loko Iʻa; the last two remaining ancient fishponds in the Kāneʻohe ahupuaʻa. This is a place of education where all are welcomed to join in culturally-rooted stewardship restoration work. Once protected with a perpetual conservation easement, the fishponds will be safeguarded and educational access will always continue.

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  • Maunawili Loʻi, Palawai & Makaliʻi, Oʻahu

    HILT is helping the Maunawili community to purchase and conserve traditional kalo lands which will be stewarded by the nonprofits Hoʻokuaʻāina and Kauluakalana. These loʻi kalo lands are part of a bigger effort to protect 1,000 acres in Maunawili, with Hui Maunawili-Kawainui, the State DLNR, and The Trust for Public Land. Collectively, we are working toward collaborative community-based land stewardship that reconnects people to ʻāina and allows Maunawili to feed Oʻahu once again.

  • Mokae to Makaʻalae, Hāna Coast, Maui

    HILT is supporting the Hāna community to protect a treasured coastline that is utilized by Hāna families for subsistence fishing and gathering. Represented by lineal descendants, community non-profit, Ke Ao Hāliʻi is committed to the future ownership and stewardship of these lands, with conservation easements to be co-held by HILT and Maui County. HILT already holds conservation easements over part of this landscape, and the current effort will fill in the gaps so that the entirety of coastline from Mokae to Makaʻalae is protected in perpetuity.

  • Waikapū Farm Lands, Maui

    HILT is working on what will be the largest farmland conservation easement in Hawaiʻi. It will cover 870 acres on Maui’s central plain. Farmers on the land range from Kumu Farms, known for papayas and 34 other organic crops, Hoaloha Farms, known for its kalo and ability to umbrella small farmers, and Pacific Biodiesel, turning fields of sunflowers into local energy. The landowner, Mike Atherton, is donating the conservation easement to HILT, which will dedicate the land to agriculture in perpetuity, and limit development to structures necessary for viable agriculture.